Sad but unfortunately true

Have you ever heard a high number of couples split up after going on holidays together? 
Not surprisingly, spending the whole day with your love one can be the source of rows and trouble, and make you realize this is not what you really wanted.
Breaking up is hard and when it comes to how to do so, it seems there's no easy way to face it.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you may find this video really helpful, and funny as a matter of fact. 
Try to do the fill-in-the-gap activity below and you'll get some useful tips.

Sick and tired of the crisis?

The word 'crisis' has been present somehow or other every single day for some years now and I guess we're all fed up with it, if not worried sick about all the unwelcome changes it's brought into our lives. But I'm one of those people who believes that making fun of trouble helps to lighten the burden so here you are a really ironic video that explains what we all should know by now: those who caused the crisis will not pay for it!
Have a few laughs doing the fill-in-the-gap activity below, and learn some useful vocabulary. You can click here to get the KEY.

Watch out your vowels!

I'm sure you sometimes think I'm making a fuss about nothing whenever I insist on you paying attention to the way you pronounce long and short vowels but, take my word for it, it may cause you real trouble to pronounce a short vowel instead of a long one, as you can see in the funny video below.
Click here to see some useful videos that'll help you learn the difference between /ɪ/ and /iː/, /ɒ/ and /ɔː/, or /ʊ/ and /uː/.

A hamburger?

I know! It's sometimes exasperating when there seems to be no improvement in our pronunciation, no matter what we do. That's why I'd like you to watch this video and realize that you're doing much better than him. However, don't forget to practise saying 'would' in front of a mirror as I told you !

Are we so different?

Men and women, and the everlasting question: Are we the same or different? Last week I was discussing with my students whether our brains are really different or it's just the result of the cultural biases imposed on us since we're born, and the thing is although at the beginning I was much more in favour of the latter, I was told that there's been a lot of scientific research on this issue which has proved that in fact, WE ARE different in several aspects.
I know stereotypes are usually unfair but, if they're not taken too seriously, commonplaces can also be fun. I hope you'll enjoy this stand-up monologue which show us how different our brains are.
First watch the video and then try to do the fill-in-the-gap activity below. I'd also like you to write a short comment giving your own point of view.

I'm tired of using technology!

I can't deny it! I'm hooked on new technology though I'm not an expert.

Milow whinged "I'm tired of using technology" in his song (do you remember?) but even though I sometimes feel overwhelmed by so many innovations, the wonder of this new world has won me over.

A colleague and friend of mine sent me this killing sketch that makes fun of technology using plays on words (double meanings and homophones). Try to fill in the gaps to complete the transcription and then click in the link above to learn some vocabulary. This is the key with all the answers.

I hope you'll enjoy it!

I wish, I wish...

I must admit I'm not prone to making wishes as I've promised myself to enjoy what I do have and stop dreaming. Wishes make us hopeful, though, and that's why I want you to learn how to make them.

In this song by Pearl Jam you'll learn about all their wishes by filling in the gaps with one word to complete the lyrics. Check your answers here.
Then, if you're interested enough, you can click the link in the upper or lower bar and find an amusing presentation that I hope will help you understand the use of "I wish..." just a little bit better.

What are your problems with English?

Have you ever wondered how to deal with your problems with English? I mean, that's if you have any .

Actually, I think analyzing the difficulties we encounter when learning and trying to find a solution is a good way to start solving them.

First watch this presentation that'll help you reflect on the kind of trouble you may experience yourself.

Presentation

Now, watch the funny video in the Voicethread below about some students who do have problems with English . Then, listen to my comment and try to make yours, explaining what you find most difficult to deal with and your tips to overcome obstacles.

Would you dare correct their mistakes? Try the online activities underneath.

QUESTION TAGS

PRONUNCIATION

IDIOMS

Flying

How do you feel when you take a plane? Excited? Frightened? Thrilled? I must admit I feel a little anxious, especially when the plane goes through some turbulance, that's why I always pay attention to the flight attendants when they give the safety instructions. However, I know most people never listen to them.

We're going to learn some vocabulary related to flights and planes with the interactive activities below. Then, you can do the gap-filling activity to complete the safety instructions a really witty and funny flight attendant gives to his passengers. Check your answers downloading the Key

Write your comments telling how you feel when you fly or any funny, frightening or curious experience you've had when doing so.